Moving out of the home office

It could be a barking dog or an overflowing file cabinet. Whatever the reason, you've decided your home-based office just isn't working out. It may be time to consider "real" office space.

Moving the office away from the house can bolster business and may improve life at home. Here are five reasons to consider making the jump:

+Extra elbow room. Business is booming and you need to hire help, but the close quarters are cramping your style.

+Human interaction. Working in pajamas isn't right for everyone. Some workers need to get dressed every morning, drive to an office and have a coffee room chat with a fellow worker. As an added benefit of an office environment, entrepreneurs commonly make valuable business connections with their neighbors.

+Image improvement. Most businesses have at least an occasional need to meet face-to-face with customers, partners or suppliers, but talking shop at the kitchen table doesn't make a strong first impression. Today's alternatives allow even sole proprietors to afford a well-appointed office or meeting room at a prestigious business address.

+Sweet separation. With the couch only steps away, choosing work over ESPN proves too difficult for some homebased workers. On the flipside, others can't help but peek at business e-mail after hours. Putting distance between the office and home can help you stay busy during the day and keep work where it belongs at night.

+Power tools. If that all-in-one printer/copier/fax is begging for mercy, consider a technology upgrade. Fully equipped office environments provide all the professional-quality office machines, highspeed Internet access, advanced telecom systems, and even administrative and technical support, to turn your operation into a well-oiled machine.

To learn more about workspace arrangements for small businesses, visit www. regus.com.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.